Adopting the 5S Approach In Schools
Do you believe in ‘a place for everything and everything in its place’?
The 5S model is for you.
5S refers to five Japanese terms used to describe the steps of the 5S system of visual management.
In Japanese, the five S’s are Seiri, Seiton, Seiso, Seiketsu, and Shitsuke.
In English, the five S’s are Sort, Set in Order, Shine, Standardise, and Sustain.
Originally part of ‘Lean’ manufacturing philosophy its principles for eliminating wasted time and unnecessary motion are universally applicable to everyone and every organisation.
5S is a way of making people highly efficient and effective in doing their work:
- Sort: Keep near you only what you regularly use
- Straighten: Find exactly what you need to use in less than 30 seconds
- Shine: Have your workplace and equipment ready for immediate use
- Standardise: Everyone does each job in the same way and is challenged to improve it
- Sustain: Everyone does their part to foster a safe, efficient and effective workplace
By implementing the 5S methodology and its standards, schools can increase their efficiency and effectiveness by re-organising the workplace and eliminating waste.